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Helping Autistic Children and Adolescents at Home and in School

The Ziggurat Model: A Framework for Developing Comprehensive Interventions for Individuals on the Spectrum

Autism can be stressful. Autistic children and students may find themselves overwhelmed by the challenges they face every day.  Feeling misunderstood, rejected, or in a constant state of crisis, it is not uncommon for them to display meltdowns/shutdowns and even to develop anxiety and depression.  Caring parents and teachers want to help. They want to make a difference but feel frustrated because their efforts do not seem to pay off - like they are working in the dark and may not know how to help. Time is always a factor.  Parents are worried about not only today but the future. They may worry: 

  • Will my child ever have friends?
  • How can I get my child through the morning without a meltdown?
  • Will my child be punished for his autism?
  • How will she ever hold a job?
  • Will my child ever be happy?
  • What is going to happen to him after we are gone?


Teachers and other educational professionals don’t want their student to have a “lost” school year.  They may worry: “Do I have the skills to help this student?” “Will this student keep others from learning?”  or “How will I survive this school year?”  

Both parents and educators want to help instill skills for success. They need answers - "How will we overcome all the obstacles?"  What they need is the Ziggurat Model. 

Learn about the award winning Ziggurat Model that has helped families and educators for over 15 years!   


The Ziggurat Model is a system for designing comprehensive strategies and supports for all individuals on the autism spectrum. The Ziggurat Model was created to simplify a complex process. The focal point of the model is a five tiered research-centered system that capitalizes on strengths to address underlying needs. It is assessment driven and provides a framework that guides parents, professionals, and autistics themselves in creating effective supports and strategies.

The Ziggurat Model is used in home, school, mental health, and other therapeutic settings. The Ziggurat Model is also used by autistic adolescents and adults as a self-help strategy. 

Recent trends in special education emphasize the use of scientifically based research approaches along with a focus on multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). Additionally, there is a strong push for incorporating positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) based on a functional behavioral assessment. The Ziggurat Model facilitates these practices.

The Ziggurat Model is unique - simple to use and comprehensive. While it is easy to find volumes of information describing specific interventions, it is difficult to find information on how to develop an effective plan. Autistics, parents, and professionals will find the framework of the Ziggurat Model to be a useful guide in developing more thorough and effective supports and strategies.

The Ziggurat Model will help you to develop supports that work.  There are four steps to the framework:

  • Assess underlying needs and strengths for planning
  • Identify meaningful priorities for change
  • Develop a plan that works: The five essential levels of support
  • Implement the plan


You can read more about our award winning book below and download a free excerpt.

Ziggurat Model 2.1 2022 Excerpt_.pdf

Online Ziggurat Model Training

Start your Transformation Today!

  • Steps to Create a Plan

    Step-by-step action plan for creating real change for your child or student.

  • On-demand Lessons

    Weekly on-demand course content - exclusive access to recorded lessons for 6 months.

  • Online Community

    Online learning community where you can post questions for the authors and share and collaborate with other community members.

  • Assessment for Transformation (sold separately)

    Underlying Characteristics Checklist help you to see strengths and needs and avoid common pitfalls in developing a plan.

  • Downloadable Resources

    Receive downloadable resources to guide you through every step of the award winning Ziggurat Model framework.

  • Certificate of completion

    Receive a certificate of completion for 11.5 hours of instruction from the Ziggurat Group.

Course Benefits

This transformational course includes on-demand content, online community, and everything you need to get started now.

  • Pre-recorded instruction with unlimited access for 6 months

  • Targeted activities, examples, and worksheets to guide you every step of the way

  • Access to online community where you can ask the authors questions and share and collaborate with other members

  • Certificate of completion

Course Schedule

Helping Autistic Children and Adolescents at Home and In School


Session 1:

Helping Autistic Children and Adolescents at Home and in School: Overview of the Ziggurat Model
Session 2:

Seeing the Underlying Autism: A Path for Change
Session 3:

Identifying Priorities for Meaningful Change: The Global Plan
Session 4:

The Five Essential Levels:

Part 1: Sensory Differences and Biological Needs

Part 2: Respectful Reinforcement
Session 5:

The Five Essential Levels:

Part 3: Structure and Visual/Tactile Supports
Session 6: 
 The Five Essential Levels:
Part 4: Task Demands/Positive Environment
Part 5: Skills to Teach
Session 7:

Creating the Intervention Plan for Change: Addressing Priorities Step-by-Step
Session 8:
 Putting the Plan into Action: Implementing the Plan for Change and Course Summary 
    Session 9:    
 Addressing Behavior Challenges: Creating a Specific Ziggurat FBA

wnloadable tools are included.


30 Day Money Back Guarantee!

We want to do everything we can to help you on your journey. That is why we are offering the first lesson for free!

After you register and pay for the full course, if it doesn't work out you can get a refund for a full 30 days (some restrictions apply - see terms and conditions).


The Need for the Ziggurat Model

Top view, hands of mother holding hands of little autistic child making heart shape over colorful puzzle pieces. World autism awareness day, Caring & Understanding love concept.It’s common to wonder Will my child ever have friends? Will he ever be happy? What will happen to her after we’re gone? When will the next meltdown come?

Autism can be stressful for parents, teachers, and for the child or adult who’s living on the spectrum—who may regularly feel misunderstood, left out, or in a continual state of crisis.

But there is hope. You have tools available to you to reduce anxiety and stress, which can lead to less depression and fewer meltdowns and shutdowns. That’s the power of the Ziggurat Model.

Get to Know the Ziggurat Model

FAQ

  • Do you accept purchase orders?

    Yes. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information on purchasing tickets.

  • I'm learning with others in the same room. How many tickets do we need to purchase?

    Each student who purchases a ticket will have a separate log in. The student will receive a copy of the assessment tools and a certificate of completion. This means that families only need to purchase one ticket. Teachers, school staff, and other professionals should each purchase a ticket. With the exception of families, we do not permit sharing a single account. For agencies seeking to train large groups, we offer in-person and virtual options with no limit on the number of attendees.

  • Why is the course so long?

    Creating a successful plan takes time. The Ziggurat Model is the key to developing a plan that works. We want you to create this transformation for your child or student.

  • Do you offer refunds?

    Yes! For on-demand courses, you may cancel the course for 30 days provided that you have not viewed content past the free preview. There are no refunds for any courses that are “on-demand” with no free previews or when the user has viewed paid content. To cancel an order or request a refund, contact [email protected]

  • I'm a novice. Is this course right for me? OR I'm an expert. Is this course right for me?

    Yes! This course is intended for participants of all skill levels. Novices will learn more about autism and the course will introduce you to a variety of research-based approaches. Advanced learners will gain a deeper understanding of autism and expand their knowledge of how to combine approaches to be effective.

  • Will my certificate count for required professional continuing education credits?

    The Ziggurat Group and its providers are not pre-approved by professional organizations to offer continuing education (CE) credit hours. We do offer a Certificate of Completion that many professions accept for non-approved providers. Please check the licensing/CE requirements for your profession.

  • Where can I order copies of the Underlying Characteristics Checklists?

    The Underlying Characteristics Checklists and other materials can be ordered from our online store at: https://www.zigguratgroup.com/pages/store

On-Demand Instruction on Your Schedule

The eight-session Ziggurat Model course is simple to implement and can be viewed from anywhere on any type of device. With your enrollment, you will receive:

• A Step-by-Step Action Plan Designed to Enact Change
• Weekly On-Demand Lessons that Fit Any Busy Schedule
• Online Community Support so You’ll Never Feel Alone
• Downloadable Resources to Guide You Through Every Step
• Certificate of Completion After Ten Hours of Instruction

Preview the Program for Free
Watch Intro Video

Watch How The Ziggurat Model
Helps Teachers and Parents



If you're a teacher, you don't want your students to lose any time—
but you may also wonder if you have the skills to help a student
challenged by autism.

If you're the parent of an autistic child, you want your child to live
the most fulfilling life possible—but you might feel helpless at times.

The Ziggurat Model
Easy as 1, 2, 3, 4

Developed by two accomplished psychologists, the model aims to simplify the process of helping an autistic child or adult.

  • Assess underlying needs and strengths.

  • Identify priorities to begin change.

  • Develop a plan with five levels of support.

  • Implement the plan to make a difference.

The Ziggurat Model's Founders

Meet the licensed psychologists who have created the Ziggurat Model and used it to help educators, families, and therapists for more than 15 years.

Ruth Aspy, Ph.D.

Dr. Aspy specializes in transdisciplinary assessment and support for individuals on the spectrum. She believes that focusing on behavior has limited benefits. Understanding and addressing underlying needs is the key to real change. Dr. Aspy says that kindness is at the heart of all good support strategies.

Barry G. Grossman, Ph.D.

Dr. Grossman specializes in counseling for those on the spectrum, as well as their families. He teaches that supports and strategies cannot be successful unless they are comprehensive, including the five key steps of the Ziggurat Model.
Meet the Founders